The ramblings of a pilgrim through time, space, and life.

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Back to Idaho: Farming

I have not driven a 10-wheeler for over 8 years and today I climbed back in the cab for grain harvest. I actually only took one load about 15 miles to the cooperative because I had a flat tire to be fixed and when I arrived back at the field the combine broke down. We spent the rest of the day tracking down and replacing drive belts for the combine. I know grain dust is pretty uncomfortable, but I reveled in it.

Here, at the end of the day, the combine was off doing its last run to fill up the truck and I waited in the shop truck. I was playing with my phone when I snapped a picture. I thought it was pretty cool so took another that caught the scene a little more completely. I know this picture may be not much for others, but this is a little slice of heaven for me. If I could have been a farmer, I would have. But I could not, so I chose a less noble profession. At least I work in an area that lets me play farmer for a day.

The photo captures Durum wheat being offloaded from the 20-year-old New Holland combine into my truck, a 1987 Volvo White. The other little mirror captures the front of a red 1985 GMC General. Outside the mirror is the back of another truck waiting to be loaded. Off in the distance behind the truck waiting in the overall picture, a completely harvest field awaits its next phase; probably baling of the straw and preparation for winter.

Since this is the same farm equipment I have worked around for the past 20 years, it was somewhat nostalgic. On the other hand, I wonder if I am the only attorney driving a truck for grain harvest.

The thing that caught me the most was the link for me to the millenia that have passed before. Durum wheat has been grown for human consumption for over 8,000 years. Sure, we can produce it at a higher capacity, but I really believed that despite technology, so little has changed in the human constitution. We still fight the same battles and strive to overcome the same struggles. Even though our society allows me not to be a farmer or gatherer, much like other ancient societies; we still fundamentally rely on the ground and the beauties of nature for our support and sustenance. Despite what government and others detached from such basic elements may believe, our connection to the dirt and fundamental laws of our universe is clear. The more our society fails to recognize these facts, the more and more likely we perch ourselves for failure. Those who remember these facts cannot fail, whether in farming or anything else.